Property investment potential in Melbourne’s Southbank

Those interested in Melbourne property investment may wish to add Southbank to their real estate portfolio.

The area has been developing at a rapid pace and has proven attractive for both commercial and residential purposes.

Recent data from the City of Melbourne's Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE 2010) reveals that built space in Southbank has risen by 63 per cent since 2002 and employment there has increased by 30 per cent.

Perhaps the most astounding number was in the retail sector – displaying a jump in floor space by over 50 per cent following the opening of South Wharf.

Residential population has also grown by almost 20 per cent to 11,744 between 2006 and 2010.

Chair of the Future Melbourne (Economic Development and Knowledge City) Committee councillor Kevin Louey was pleased to report Southbank as "an evolving and thriving community" and stated that he looks forward to opportunities to come.

He said: "The establishment of a new community hub with a library and civic centre at the Boyd School site is going to be a great addition to the Southbank precinct, giving residents and visitors access to a range of community services."

"The CLUE report provides us with a snapshot of Southbank, with overwhelmingly positive trends," Mr Louey added.

Posted by Sara Pritchard

Resource projects to bring benefits all across Queensland

With mining projects heating up the economy in Queensland, there are many opportunities for property investment, commercial enterprise and economic advancement.

While Brisbane has long been the centre of state activity, more remote areas are starting to make a healthy contribution to financial gains.

Resource assets in regional outlands have been attracting residents from all over Australia for employment purposes as well as lucrative business prospects.

Brisbane property investment also stands to gain from this influx of people and injection of funds.

In order to foster responsible action in these rapidly growing rural regions, Queensland has committed to providing major social and community benefits to the people of Gladstone, Maranoa and Banana.

The state coordinator-general has approved the second social impact management plan for the region, specifically for the Gladstone Liquefied Natural Gas (GLNG) Facility jointly operated by Santos, Petronas and TOTAL.

Deputy premier Jeff Seeney made the announcement and was steadfast in the motivations behind the investment.

"Queensland’s LNG industry is on the cusp of a boom that will fundamentally reshape our economy. How we manage that boom and the environmental, social and economic impacts will be crucial for generations to come," he said.

Posted by Tyler Wyndham

State-of-the-art emergency centre in Brisbane

As the international gateway city to Queensland and the third largest city in Australia, Brisbane demands an innovative strategy to encourage commercial growth and foster a sustainable future.

There are a series of factors that contribute to a healthy economy including property investment, urban renewal and consumer sentiment – and Brisbane is fortunate to have experienced recent developments in all three categories.

It was reported (April 24) by the Property Council of Australia that the region experienced a significant increase in consumer confidence in the property industry over the last three quarters.

It was also announced (April 27) by the state government that Brisbane commissioned one of the nation's most modern and advanced emergency communication and coordination centres.

The Ambulance and Fire Communications Centre is equipped with frontline technology and sophisticated tools to answer the expanding needs of thriving Brisbane and its surrounding areas.

Police and Community Safety Minister Jack Dempsey was pleased to announce the development, deeming it an invaluable enhancement to the growing city.

"The life-saving work which goes on behind the communications centre walls is imperative to ensuring the fastest and most appropriate service is delivered to Queenslanders, in what can be some of the most distressing times a person can experience," he said.

Posted by Tyler Wyndham

Sydney’s Green Square to host trigeneration network

Individuals planning a Sydney property investment in the up-and-coming suburb of Green Square could be given a green boost thanks to a new trigeneration electricity network planned for the area, which could save millions of dollars in energy costs over the long term.

Last week (April 21), Sydney's lord mayor Clover Moore announced that the federal government has provided a grant of $3.5 million for the rollout of the network, which will provide more than 3,300 residential dwellings – and some 6,000 individuals – with low-carbon heating, cooling and electricity.

According to Moore, the four-megawatt trigeneration system will play a significant role in making Green Square one of Australia's foremost sustainable communities.

"Households and businesses at Green Square will get a cleaner and cost-competitive alternative to the rising cost of coal-fired electricity," she said.

Moore added: "The federal government's funding demonstrates the national significance of Sydney's green infrastructure plans and confirms Green Square's future role as a leading example of sustainable urban development."

Development plans for Green Square Town Centre include up to 20,000 new properties, which are set to provide homes for nearly 40,000 residents.

As part of the new development, multiple buildings will be connected to a single trigerneration network, which makes the system work more efficiently than multiple networks established in individual buildings.

Moore anticipates that the trigeneration network will have an important role to play in achieving the city's carbon emissions reduction targets, which aim to cut 2006 carbon emissions levels by 70 per cent before 2030.

Furthermore, she added, homeowners and tenants could benefit from the significant long-term savings offered by the new system, which will be built by Origin-owned energy firm Cogent.

"This local energy network could save NSW electricity customers up to $1.5 billion by 2030 in avoided or delayed spending on electricity grid upgrades and new power stations," Moore explained.

Trigeneration systems have been proven to reduce buildings' greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60 per cent – and are more than two times as energy efficient as traditional coal-fired electricity.

According to the City of Sydney's agreement with Cogent, trigeneration services will also be delivered to a number of other key locations in the NSW capital city, including the Town Hall precinct, the Pyrmont/Broadway area and CBD North, which encompasses George Street and Martin Place.

Posted by Grace Neale

Increased confidence in Queensland property industry

Brisbane property investment may see a boost following a positive announcement from the Property Council of Australia (April 24).

The Property Council-ANZ Property Industry Confidence Survey has found that Queensland has improved in industry confidence for the third consecutive quarter.

Measuring responses from industry professionals from all across Australia, the review found Queensland to have the second highest increase in confidence over the last quarter.

Queensland executive director of the Property Council of Australia Kathy Mac Dermott was pleased with the fourteen point increase.

"For the first time, the survey has shown a firming of residential growth expectations, a sure sign the market has begun its recovery," she said.

ANZ Head of Property Research Paul Braddick was confident in the future of the industry in Queensland.

He said: "With the exception of retail property, which remains weighed down by weak retail spending, the Property Council-ANZ survey Queensland results show solid increases in property industry confidence and improved commercial property capital growth expectations."

Property investment in Queensland will likely be encouraged by resource growth and a commitment to bolster the overall economy.

Posted by Tyler Wyndham

Infrastructure project to bring jobs to Victoria

Melbourne property investment may be encouraged by a large project recently announced for Victoria.

The $1.2 billion redevelopment of the Port of Melbourne is expected to provide an economic boost for the state in the form of marketable enterprise and employment opportunities.

A new container terminal at Webb Dock and infrastructure upgrades at Swanson Dock are expected to enhance commercial business in the area. 

Victorian premier Ted Baillieu was confident in what the development would mean for the state:
"This major infrastructure project is an exciting opportunity to cement Victoria's reputation as the freight and logistics capital of Australia."

The development is meant to bring occupations to the area, representing a variety of skill levels.

"The project will provide 700 direct jobs and 1,900 indirect jobs across Victoria, in addition to ensuring we are well placed to cater for the forecast demand in container freight," said Mr Baillieu.

Property investment may be encouraged by the increased trade and retail opportunities that are likely to come to the region.

In addition to recent developments in the technology sector, this project will likely contribute to increasing economic activity in Victoria.

Posted by Sara Pritchard

Melbourne set to benefit from new water network

Melbourne property investment may be encouraged by the city's recent effort to develop a sustainable water network.

With environmental concerns and a cost-saving strategy in mind, the Victorian government has announced a plan to tackle water supply challenges in the state capital.

The strategy involves reusing storm and recycling water to cut back on waste from non-drinking water purposes and maximise available resources. 

Water minister Peter Walsh released the report from the Living Victoria Ministerial Advisory Council, stating that he was pleased with objectives set out in the plan.

"We now have a substantial reform process ahead of us to overhaul the urban water system and place a greater focus on local solutions instead of costly, large-scale infrastructure such as desalination," he said.

With successful integration, the new water strategy could save Melbourne citizens in both financial and environmental costs, allowing them to put that money towards other things.

Property investment may be encouraged by the streamlined process, as it promotes sustainable growth and makes way for a bright future.

"The Office for Living Victoria will be established as a cross-government agency to cut red tape and drive the integration of water and urban planning," added Mr Walsh.

Posted by Sara Pritchard

Queensland supports revised environmental regulations

As we progress through the 21st century, there is a larger focus on environmentally-friendly policies and sustainable practises.

While a green emphasis is beneficial in many ways, there are often concerns that expensive technology and overzealous governmental regulations will stifle the economy.

Property investment in particular is affected by building rules and guidelines, in terms of design, timeline and cost.

In order to combat the resource drain of these conservation procedures, the federal government has taken steps toward creating a "one-stop-shop" environmental process.

Queensland’s deputy premier and minister for state development Jeff Seeney welcomed the development (April 20), stating that he would take an offer from the federal government to streamline to process.

"Some development projects are strangled in a tangled web of green tape as they navigate their way through a myriad of federal, state and local rules and regulations," he said.

Mr Seeney added that 135 development projects are currently awaiting approval in the existing process and posited that such wait times could hamper investment.

If the new regulations come into effect, the state may see benefits in the form of efficient returns from property investment.

Posted by Tyler Wyndham

Australian tourism attracting new opportunities

The rate of property investment in Sydney is directly related to its population growth, plans of commercial expansion and strategy for sustainable development.

While many of the city's economic industries support these factors, one has begun to stand out
in recent weeks.

Efforts to attract tourism expenditure from the Asian market have been at the forefront of some departmental agendas.

"As part of the tourism industry’s push to double overnight visitor expenditure to up to A$140 billion by 2020, Tourism Australia is focused on marketing Australia's unique tourism attributes where the greatest tourism growth opportunities exist," explained Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy, April 20.

"China is a big part of that growth and is the logical place to launch the new creative," he added.

These initiatives are not surprising considering that tourism represents an estimated $28.7 billion in Consumption and $11.8 billion in direct gross value added, according to figures from Destination NSW.

And with a 20 per cent increase in Chinese visitors from 2010 to 2011 along with another increase expected for this year – exceeding 600,000 – it is easy to see why the market is being targeted.

In line with these efforts, minister for tourism Martin Ferguson also announced that the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse was going to translate its travel information into Mandarin, making internet tools more accessible to the Chinese.

"The first port of call for anyone planning a holiday is now the internet," said minister Ferguson.

Referring to China as "Australia's most valuable market", he was confident the $1 million project would assist with making the nation's abundance of tourism offerings attractive to Chinese visitors.

The initiative contributes to the TQUAL Grants Strategic Tourism Investment Grant called
Welcoming Chinese Visitors Project and is intended to assist businesses with the increasing demand of Chinese tourists.

Also accounting for this change in demographics, the state capital has also seen the lucrative potential in the new market.

Described as the gateway to Australia, Sydney has been historically the most popular destination for international visitors and therefore holds a significant position in terms of value.

Developing its ties with another Asian nation, the city has secured an agreement between its Sydney Airport and Delhi Airport.

Looking to capitalise on the growing market from India, Sydney is preparing for a significant draw from the country over the next several years.

Sydney property investment may benefit from these lucrative tourism initiatives across New South Wales and Australia.

Posted by Grace Neale

Manufacturing deal contributes to growth in Queensland

Significant economic growth is often spurred on by commercial expansion, property investment and beneficial trade agreements.

Yesterday (April 19) a lucrative deal was announced for Queensland that will likely enhance all three of these important economic aspects.

Local boat manufacturer Aluminium Boats Australia (ABA) signed an agreement with the Lagos Government that is worth roughly $150 million in export funds.

State treasurer and minister for trade Tim Nicholls was in attendance for the official signing and was very pleased with the result and what it means for the state.

He said: "This is a huge boost for the Queensland economy, ABA and the local marine industry. The construction of these ferries will also provide additional work for around 18 Queensland companies which supply to the marine industry."

Creating employment and injecting funds into the community, the benefits of the deal are likely to spread far across the region.

Brisbane property investment may see a trickle-down effect of good fortune from this significant agreement.

"The project will create around 140 jobs and provide a great confidence boost to our local marine and manufacturing industry," said Mr Nicholls.

Posted by Tyler Wyndham